Got to the venue and line was long as hell. I was worried I wouldn't get a prime time viewing spot, but my worries were settled when I got in and promptly stood behind those on the rail. They had tons of Converse advertisements up and cool screens with maps that displayed the demographic of people there based on geographic location and stuff. North Bay had 4%. Swag. First band was Hot Lunch

Hot Lunch were a cool rock 'n' roll band heavy on fuzzy tones. A lot of their songs were really jam oriented and stretched a while but stayed interesting always introducing new ideas that'd they'd groove on for a bit. There was a group of 4 women in front of us, and about one song in one left but another covered her spot so I couldn't sneak in. But this would matter later. Something cool I noticed is that the compilation of screens to the left of the stage was actually being uploaded with photos of the band that photographers just took. So anyways, Hot Lunch were decent. If you like fuzzy jam rock, check it out.

Next up were bay area metal act, Saviours. It was around this time that Tony got in and we met up. Saviours are a solid metal group. They're labeled sludge but they're sludge the same way High on Fire is sludge, so they're not really sludge, just kind of stoner rock. They were a fun band and had some good energy. Again, one of the 4 girls left the front and Tony took her place. But she didn't come back so that way a good thing. Saviours brought out Brent Hinds for a Ted Nugent cover, which was kind of cool. All in all, Saviours were just average.

Next up were the might High on Fire. Their set was probably the most fun and the heaviest for sure. The band sounded great and they got a good response from the crowd with a decent amount of moshing going around. The only thing that was kind of a bummer was that they played the exact same set I got at the Metal Alliance tour. Song for song, the exact. same. thing. But hey, it was free and those songs are heavy as all hell so I can't really complain. Something cool that happened was a photographer snapped a photo of Tony while he was headbanging and it ended up on the screen. All in all, High on Fire delivered a fun and heavy set, even if it was only half an hour.

High on Fire
Rumors of War
Frost Hammer
Madness of an Architect
Snakes for the Divine

Next up were the almighty Mastodon! I was bummed to find out they were only given 45 minutes, and from that I'm guessing the set they played tonight will be their set at Mayhem. They came out playing Black Tongue, which I expected, then went into Crystal Skull which was awesome and probably the song I enjoyed most of their performance. But from there they just played a bunch of material off the Hunter with the occasional track off Crack the Skye. And I don't mean to come off totally disappointed, since they put on a great performance and it was free, but I was surprised they ignored their first two albums completely. But still, everybody sounded great and it was awesome seeing Mastodon just a few feet away from me, since Tony was a bro and pulled me up to get some rail. Plus rocking out to tunes like Crystal Skull, Spectrelight, Blasteroid and Crack the Skye was awesome. Also, Troy threw his backstage pass sticker thing that they use so people know they're in the band, and I caught it and stuck it on my chest, which was funny. But I'm still bummed that of 11 songs, 8 are from The Hunter and none of the others were from their first two. I could live with nothing off Remission, but we didn't even get Blood and Thunder. Hopefully something chances between now and Mayhem Fest, but I doubt it. Do you guys honestly need to hear Thickening live?

They didn't even play Curl of the Burl. That was almost more shocking! So after that my and my friend Ben dipped because he has an early summer class.

Hot Lunch: 7/10
Saviours: 6.5/10
High on Fire: 8/10
Mastodon: 8/10

christopher

06-27-2013, 12:06 AM

It's weird to see High on Fire play such a short set. I'm also very bummed Mastodon didn't play All the Heavy Lifting. That's my favorite song from the Hunter and I was hoping they would play it at Mayhem on Saturday. :(

TheClairvoyant

06-27-2013, 06:39 AM

As much as I love Mastodon, they really need to give some Hunter tracks a little rest, nothing from Levithan and Remission is pretty shit, and only Crystal Skull off Blood Mountain? C'mon!. Remember the first Hunter tour set? now THAT was a damn good Mastodon set. Great review btw!

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mastodon/2012/manchester-academy-manchester-england-63deaecf.html - Wish their set's were more like this!

swboyd

06-27-2013, 07:10 AM

As much as I love Mastodon, they really need to give some Hunter tracks a little rest, nothing from Levithan and Remission is pretty shit, and only Crystal Skull off Blood Mountain? C'mon!. Remember the first Hunter tour set? now THAT was a damn good Mastodon set. Great review btw!

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mastodon/2012/manchester-academy-manchester-england-63deaecf.html - Wish their set's were more like this!

I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly. This is a terrrrible Mastodon set compared to some of the other ones they've played in the recent past.

IrritatedTrout

06-27-2013, 02:24 PM

Since this is going to be their last touring cycle for The Hunter I'm fine with hearing a ton of tracks off it but it is strange to do nothing from Leviathan at all and to not play Curl of the Burl.

I'm really hoping for Creature Lives (only Hunter track I haven't heard) and Sleeping Giant when I see them headline in August.

TonyD

06-27-2013, 02:25 PM

So here's what I have to say...
I'm a pro-Hunter guy and I like most of the songs, but it's really disappointing that they're sort of abandoning their early material like Baroness.
I would hope they're smarter than making this their Mayhem set (what's the purpose of playing to a new audience if you're not playing most of your signature songs?).
I like hearing Thickening and ending with The Sparrow, but not in a 45 minute set.
And of all the songs to leave out, they don't play Curl of the Burl?

Worth mentioning that it was a shock to see Brent with a shaved head again, Troy sang half of Stargasm and is starting to go grey (actually looks badass, but weird watching a band go into their 40s :lol:), and Matt Pike literally looks pregnant.
All said and done, even though it was a little bit of a hassle to make sure we got in, it was free.
I'll post some pics when I get a chance.

I was watching some European festival videos and it is weird to see Troy grey.

TonyD

06-27-2013, 04:19 PM

Also just a friendly reminder that Mastodon is Latin for nipple-tooth

slapguitarer

06-27-2013, 04:58 PM

I should also add that I too am a pro-Hunter Mastodon fan, I too am just bummed they're ignoring their back catalog a bunch. This just wouldn't be a smart setlist for Mayhem Fest.

slapguitarer

06-27-2013, 10:18 PM

Just recieved word from Tony that he talked to Brann tonight at the High on Fire show and they're changing up the set for Mayhem. Good news!

kalfitegrdan

06-27-2013, 10:23 PM

I'm going to be seriously pissed if Mastodon doesn't play Blood & Thunder when I see them...AGAIN!

BTBAM310

06-28-2013, 08:34 AM

As much as I love Mastodon, they really need to give some Hunter tracks a little rest, nothing from Levithan and Remission is pretty shit, and only Crystal Skull off Blood Mountain? C'mon!. Remember the first Hunter tour set? now THAT was a damn good Mastodon set. Great review btw!

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mastodon/2012/manchester-academy-manchester-england-63deaecf.html - Wish their set's were more like this!

Kinda ridiculous they're playing such a Hunter heavy set since they're not really touring the album anymore (I know it's their most recent album but they haven't toured in a while.)

Was thinking of seeing them at Mayhem, but not with this setlist. And as for Brann saying they're going to change it up for that tour, it'll probably be one song.

Crack the Skye is my favorite album of all time so the tour where they played in it's entirety and played 4 or 5 songs was my dream Mastodon setlist.

slapguitarer

06-28-2013, 08:39 AM

Dude, if you're going to be at Mayhem, you might as well just watch them. You're already gonna be there and you like the band so why not? I know this setlist might disappoint you, but I feel Mastodon are smart enough to throw in some older tunes. And I can guarantee that they'll keep Oblivion and Crack the Skye

MPF

06-28-2013, 08:45 AM

I would have figured that Island would have been a staple on this tour due to Monsters University. Oh well.

AS a fan of every single Mastodon album, I wouldn't be disappointed in any set they do.

BTBAM310

06-28-2013, 09:05 AM

Dude, if you're going to be at Mayhem, you might as well just watch them. You're already gonna be there and you like the band so why not? I know this setlist might disappoint you, but I feel Mastodon are smart enough to throw in some older tunes. And I can guarantee that they'll keep Oblivion and Crack the Skye

I meant going there only to see them. They used to be my favorite band, now they're second behind BTBAM. I was going to be in the Bay Area this weekend and was thinking of going to Shoreline Sunday. Out all of the other bands, I only kinda like Machine Head and Amon Amarth.

slapguitarer

06-28-2013, 10:37 AM

I meant going there only to see them. They used to be my favorite band, now they're second behind BTBAM. I was going to be in the Bay Area this weekend and was thinking of going to Shoreline Sunday. Out all of the other bands, I only kinda like Machine Head and Amon Amarth.

Oh for sure. Funny, those are my two favorite groups too, but in opposite order. If you can find a cheap lawn ticket, I'd say give it a shot, but if you really only care about Mastodon I'd just say wait 'til they start touring on their next album.

BTBAM310

06-28-2013, 12:01 PM

Oh for sure. Funny, those are my two favorite groups too, but in opposite order. If you can find a cheap lawn ticket, I'd say give it a shot, but if you really only care about Mastodon I'd just say wait 'til they start touring on their next album.

I'll probably skip it, I hate the lawn at Shoreline - but enjoy the show.

BTW - lived pretty much my entire life in San Jose before moving up to Redding last year.

TonyD

06-28-2013, 12:09 PM

>living in Redding
>skipping an opportunity to go to a major metal show

Who is this guy?

BTBAM310

06-28-2013, 01:12 PM

>living in Redding
>skipping an opportunity to go to a major metal show

Who is this guy?

I'd usually agree with you, but:

1. I already saw Mastodon twice on the Hunter tour: 11/3/11 @ The Warfield, and 4/27/12 @ The Fox

2. I don't really care about any of the other bands

The worst thing about moving is the lack of live music here. Since moving to Redding I have been to Scorpions/Tesla at the Shoreline, Neurosis at the Fox, and BTBAM at the Warfield. Gas is expensive so you have to pick your spots, and it's almost impossible to make it down for anything during the week. As of now my next show is BTBAM 10/1 in Sacramento.There's a bunch of shows in the next few weeks I want to go to (Intronaut, The Sword, Palms, Summer Slaughter).

TonyD

06-28-2013, 02:11 PM

Yeah that's rough, if I were you and I was already in the area that's all the more reason to go. Sootcherself.

TheClairvoyant

06-29-2013, 09:13 AM

>living in Redding
>skipping an opportunity to go to a major metal show

Who is this guy?

''>'' only works on 4chan.

mankvill

06-29-2013, 10:02 AM

''>'' only works on 4chan.

Do you not have meme arrows enabled in the user settings here?

idrinkwine732

07-01-2013, 06:30 PM

I like them closing with the Sparrow. I wish they'd stick with it.

TonyD

07-01-2013, 09:42 PM

''>'' only works on 4chan.

Oh thanks, I've been doing that for 5,000+ posts and haven't realized.

TheClairvoyant

07-02-2013, 05:59 AM

Oh thanks, I've been doing that for 5,000+ posts and haven't realized.

T'was sarcasm.

Northern_Shaman

07-03-2013, 07:13 PM

T'was sarcasm.

>he thinks he can fool us

I want to see Mastodon again soon. I'm more curious to hear what their next album will be like though.